36—Friday,' Deteinbee 13; 1968' '
THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS'
Merrill Hoffman toWed
Cochin Jews Mark 400th Year Mr. Hamburger in May
of Synagogue on Sunday;
Weinstein Peports on Findings
Louis Weinstein, Detroit attor-
ney, who, with Mrs. Weinstein,
visited the Cochin (India) comu-
nity last month, while on a tour
arranged by Bnai Brith, brought
back interesting data regarding
that community's Jewish citizens.
On their three-day stay in Co-
chin, the Weinsteins visited with
community leaders, were in the
synagogue and were advised on the
status of a community that dates
its settlement back to the year 72
and claims not to have suffered
from anti-Semit-
ism except during
a brief period of
discrimination by
Portuguese invad-
ers.
Sunday, the
Cochin commu-
nity will celebrate
the 400th anniver-
sary of the con-
struction of its
synagogue, and
special events are
planned. Wein-
- , stein reports that
Mrs. Gandhi while he was in
Cochin, word came that among the
distinguished personalites who will
participate in the celebration will
be India's Prime Minister Mrs.
Indira Gandhi.
S. S. Koder, the acknowledged
Sephardic Community
to Celebrate Holiday
at Party, Talent Show
The Sephardic Community of
Greater Detroit will hold its annual
Hanukah party 2 p.m. Sunday at
Pepper School, Oak Park.
'Jacques Lalouf will open the pro-
gram with the benediction, Hanuka
candles will be lit by Sammy
Sammy Shamie, Jack Kairy, Vic-
tor Sevy, Glenn Raby, Jacques
Darmon, Marc Behar, David Abou-
lafia and Robert Lalouf.
The Sephardic choir will sing
Hanuka songs under the direction
of Mrs. Violet Abrahmson, with
Mary Gruber at the piano. The
junior choir. will sing under the di-
rection of Mrs. Tula Daszkal and
Mrs. Gladys Yahyia.
Also on the program will be
dancers Suzy and Sandra Shamie
and Sonia Feldberg; Annie and
Robert Lalouf at the accordion;
and Mary Gruber at the piano.
Arabic dancing will be performed
by the Kairy sisters, Magda and
Malka, from Cairo.
Elaine Yahyia will be mistress of
ceremonies.
The Hanuka committee includes
Mesdames Al Shamie, Eddie Dasz-
kal, Robert Yahyia, Irving Abra-
hmson and Marcel Behar, chair-
man. There will be refreshments
and prizes.
The 52-year-old Sephardic or-
ganization meets for religious
and social purposes.
The first members were from
Smyrna, Turkey, and their serv-
ices were conducted in the home of
the late Jacob Chicorel. High Holy
Day services were conducted every
year since then, first in homes and
then in rented rooms of synagogues
and schools.
The community has enlarged.
After World War II, many Sephar-
dic Jews came from Greece and
Italy. More recently, families have
settled from Cuba, Egypt, Mor-
rocco and Algeria.
Most Sephardic Jews here are
descended from communities be-
fore the Spanish Inquisition in the
15th Century. A number still speak
the old Spanish, or Ladino, tongue
of the Spanish Jews. There are
approximately 80 families in this
area.
The new officers of the organiza-
tion are Al Shamie, president;
David Chicorel and Jack Gorme-
zano, vice presidents; Marcel Be-
har, treasurer; Mrs. Mary Papo,
corresponding secretary; and Rose
Quen, secretary.
leader of the Cochin Jewish com-
munity; his brother, Elijah Koder,
and their associates, pointed out
to Mr. and Mrs. Weinstein that the
community has lived and lives in
an atmosphere of security, devoid
of prejudice, but that the popula-
tion of 3,000 of a decade ago has
dwindled to 100 white and 200 black
Jews because of the mass settle-
ment of the large number in Israel,
and the community now faces a
number of problems.
They said that they are pri-
marily concerned about the edu-
cation of the young Jews who
wish to enter American and Eu-
ropean universities, and they
appealed to American Jews to
assist them in that effort.
Because discrimination was felt
only towards the end of the 16th
Century, under the Portugese, the
Indian Jews state that their patriot-
ism, their loyalty to their native
land, has never diminished and
that only the emergence of Israel
caused • so many to leave. They
admit that Cochin's Jewry is a dis-
appearing community.
The Weinsteins found in Cochin
a Jewish community that is fully
observant, that adheres to kashrut,
sanctifies the Sabbath, and a Sab-
bath House has been established
for those who live too far from the
synagogue and would not ride to
services on Saturdays.
"Every Jew there has learned
to be a shohet, and kashrut is
strictly observed," Weinstein re-
ported. He said the children are
tutored in Hebrew and every
effort is made to provide the best
available instruction.
The Cochin community, Wein-
stein reports, is proud of the copper
plates that were given to Joseph
Rabban by the Maharaja in the
year 379. Visitors are presented
with a translation of the Copper
Plates which reads:
HAIL and Prosperity! The following
gift was graciously made by him who
had assumed the title of King of Kings!
His Majesty the King Sri Parkaran Iravi
Vanmar, whose ancestors have been
wielding the sceptre for many hundred
thousands of years, in the thirty-sixth
year after the second year, on the day
which he dwelt in Muyircote, was
pleased to make the following gifts. We
have granted to Joseph Rabban the vil-
lage of Anjuvannam together with
sevent-two properietory rights, tolls on
boats and camel, the revenue and title
of Anjuvannam, the lamp of the day, a
cloth spread in front to walk on, a
palanguin, a par-sole, (Le. Telugu)
drum, a trumpet, a gateway, gar-
land, decoration with festoons, and so
forth. We have granted him the land
tax on weight tax; moreover we have
sanctioned with these Copper Plates
that he need not pay the dues which
the inhabitants of the other cities pay
the Royal palace, and that he may en-
joy the benefits which they enjoy. To
Joseph Rabban, Prince of the Anju-
vannam and to his descendants, sons
and daughters and to his nephews, and
to the sons-in-law who married his
daughters in natural succession, so long
as the world and moon exist, Agin-
vannam shall be his hereditary posses-
sion. HaiL (Sign Manual)
GOVARTHAN MARTHANDAN
Chief of Vanadu.
KODAI CHIRIKANDAN
—Chief of Venapalindu.
MANAVEAPLALA MANAVSN
—Chief of Eratanadn.
IRAIRAN CHATHAN
Chief of Eruhanedu
KODAI IRAVI
—Chief of Nadumpurayarnadu
MOORKAN CHATHAN
—Sub-Commander of the forces.
VANDALACHERI KANDAN
—The Prime Minister.
Written by Kelappan.
The synagogue in Cochin is locat-
ed in the section known as Jew
Town, and the term is a mark of
respect and of honor in its usage
by both Jews and non-Jews.
Israel Post Office Leases
Satellite Channels for
Overseas Telephone Calls
Hebrew Arts School
Acquires New Facility
NEW YORK (JTA) — The He-
brew Arts School for Music and
Dance has acquired four multiple-
dwelling units in the Lincoln Cen-
ter area in Manhattan for a new
home for the school which serves
more than 450 children and adults.
One of the features of the expand-
ed facilities will be an electronic
music studio for young students,
as well as theater workshops and
visual arts programs.
Tziporah Jochsberger, school
director, said that the goal was
"a neighborhood facility of the
arts that would be available for
young people and adults day and
evenings." Plans also call for a
library and comprehensive arc-
hives of Jewish music not centrally
available. She said the school was
the only conservatory in the coun-
try providing an understanding and
MISS MERRILL HOFFMAN
appreciation of the Jewish heritage
Mr. and Mrs. Harold Y. Hoffman in the arts.
of Robson Ave. announce the en-
gagement of their daughter Mer-
Everything is worth talking
rill Ann to Robert Louis Ham-
—Norman Douglas.
about.
burger, son of Dr. and Mrs. Albert
C. Hamburger of S. Pemburton o. Q ILQ..2JL9 QS 0000000000000
Imported OIL PAINTINGS
Rd., Birmingham.
a
A May wedding is planned.
ALL TYPES
ALL SIZES
Samuel L. Travii • ' •
Gets Judgeship
Samuel I.. Travis of 26039 York,
Huntington Woods, has been ap-
pointed by the Huntington Woods
city commission as Huntington
Woods municipal judge, to fill an
unexpired term commencing Jan.
28.
Travis, 55, a University of
Michigan 1937 law school gradu-
ate, said he will run for the full
term at the election in April.
PHOTOGRAPHY
CARSON ZELTZER
547-4805
WEDDINGS — BAR MITZVAS
SPECIAL OCCASIONS
ART LIGHTS El
LAMPS & SHADES
MADE TO ORDER
Large Selection of
Modern Lamps and
Shades in Stock.
CUSTOM FRAMING
Goodfellows' Ackerman
HOUSE OF PICTURES
O
21673 GRAND RIVER
Urges All to Help Kids
LAMP REMODELING a
AND REPAIRING
Near Lahser
Near 6 Mile
L000000 £
On Monday, Detroit's Old News- ad
boys will ask Detroiters to con-
tribute $200,000 in quarters — or
JERRY 1;00pErt
e
dollars—for 45,000 needy boys and
girls at holiday time. Newspapers
JEWELER
will be on sale at all major thor-
DIAMONDS - PEARLS - JEWELRY
oughfares.
B
PEARL AND BEAD STRINGING
Irving B. Ackerman, Goodfellow
406 Broderick Tower — 963-2573
president, pointed out that the
Goodfellows' work c ontinues
around the year. Needy children
For the Affair With the 'Yiddish Tam'
24711 Coolidge
Corner 10 Mile
LI 2-3022
ERIC
ROSENOW
and his Continentals
Dancing
Entertainment
Large or Small Combos Available
398-3664
WE RENT AND SELL
A COMPLETE LINE OF FORMAL WEAR
Including the New Double Breasted Tuxedo
ALSO FEATURING A FINE SELECTION OF
A. A. Schmier
MEN'S CLOTHING
Schreiber
are assured hot lunches in school,
and eyeglasses are provided, as
well as new shoes whenever the
need arises.
At their meeting Monday, the
Old Newsboys honored Al e x
Schreiber, 1943 president who now
lives in California, for serving
more than 25 years with the Good-
fellow drive. Schreiber, 68, second
oldest member of the group's
executive board, continues to soli-
cit, by mail, for checks to main-
tain the Goodfellow goal of "no
child without a Christmas."
Others who received certifi-
cates for 25-year-plus service in-
cluded attorney Abe A. Schmier,
whose father Herman took office
as Goodfellow president 30 years
ago; Arthur M. Stern; and Vic-
tor N. Bernstein.
Ackerman, who turned over the
gavel to his successor, Allan B.
Schmier, recalled selling papers
while working his way through
law school in the 1930s and called
the Goodfellow presidency the
"proudest time of my life."
George M. Stutz, who heads the
Goodfellow program to provide
shoes for needy school children,
reported that 3,000 pairs have
been donated this year.
A new member of the Good-
fellows is Edward Rathenberg.
The death of Goodfellow John
Lurie, founder and president of
Wrigley Supermarkets, was mark-
ed with silence.
JERUSALEM (JTA)—Overseas
telephone calls from Israel may
soon be transmitted via satellites
as an alternative to the submarine
cable linking Israel with France
that went into operation recently,
the post office announced. The
When I was young, I thought all
post office has leased three chan-
nels on Intelsat I which is orbiting the world, as well as myself, was
wholly
taken up in discoursing
the earth in a fixed position over
the Atlantic Ocean and is used upon the last new play.
—Jonathan Swift.
to relay trans-Atlantic calls.
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